Website Design – 7 Steps For Choosing the Best Web Designer

How do you choose the best web designer when you know almost nothing about website design, what you need and how to build it?

This article will help you make an informed decision instead of just selecting the first web designer you find.

7 steps for choosing the best web designer:

1. Know the purpose of your website

Before searching for a web designer it’s a good idea to know what you want your website to do for your business. It will help the designer to know your needs. These are some questions to ask yourself:

Do you want to generate leads?

Do you want to an online presence for your offline store?

Do you wish to sell products and/or services?

Do you want to interact with your customers?

Do you want to build long term relationships?

2. Experienced professional

There are many amateur designers who want to become professional. The problem is they don’t have many years of experience. For example they may create a pretty design but don’t know how to create search engine friendly pages. Look for a designer that has several years of experience, the more the better. Visit their website to see the portfolio of websites they have already designed.

3. Qualifications

By viewing their portfolio you have a good idea of the types of websites they have built, however some amateur designers will simply get a template, modify it a little then charge you for a complete design. A professional web designer should at least have these skill requirements:

html/xhtml

cascading style sheets (CSS)

javascript

graphic design

ecommerce design

php script installation and customization

search engine optimization

email marketing

FTP

Other design qualifications

CIW (Certified Internet Web Professional) is the world’s leading Web technology certification and curriculum program. The Master CIW Designer Certification shows the designer has taken the time and made the investment to become a Master Designer. You can’t go wrong if you find a designer that has been awarded this certification.

5. Testimonials

Reading the recommendations from clients shows these clients trust in the designer’s services. Visit the designer’s website to read the testimonials. Ask for them if you don’t see them.

6. Pricing

This is going to be all over the map because it depends on the complexity of the work involved and who is doing it. An online store is containing 100s of products is going to cost more than a 5 page html website. A corporate design firm with many employees is going to charge more than a freelance web designer because they have to pay out salaries. Ask for a preliminary proposal from the designer before hiring him or her.

7. Ask for a contract

The contract should clearly state what’s involved in the design of the website, prices, maintenance and hosting fees. It should also include who owns the website and the timetable for completion.

If your web designer fulfills all these requirements, is friendly, helpful, polite and easy to work then go for it. You have made an informed decision that you will be happy with.